Could lobbyists for financial institutions be made to pay for a lobbying group who would lobby Congress for the interests of the poor?
As lobbying reform is being discussed I wanted to present my idea which may be crazy, and I'm sure you will tell me. It always seemed to me that the people have been locked out. Who speaks for the poor, for the children in opposition to lobbyists looking for financial benefit?
What is the central problem that lobbyists pose to government of, by and for the people? They have undue influence. They give perks (to put it politely) to members of Congress with whom they have cozy relationships. So to decrease their influence on congresspeople who are SUPPOSED to be working FOR the people, we need a counterbalance.
Why not require those lobbyists who have lots of money to throw around to foot the bill for new lobbying groups who would work FOR the PEOPLE? For instance lobbyists could be made to contribute to a complete autonomous lobbying group who would petition for children's interests and present the needs of children.
When oil industry lobbyists are working who is lobbying for the opposing position? Wouldn't it be great if they, the oil industry, had to foot the bill for lobbyists to argue any opposing view? Perhaps the scientists who are trying to devolop new fuels? Perhaps the money which went from the federal government to the oil industry would have gone to discovering new fuels?
Perhaps the money that went to pharmaceutical corporations in the recent Medicare Drug Bill could have been eliminated and perhaps negotiation with drug companies could have been allowed? Impossible?
Today's House debate about lobbying "reform" had a few interesting moments. We'll have to see what comes of it.
In the meantime, Democrat members have been arguing against the reconciliation bill's provisions that cut funds from programs helping students, children, the disabled, working families and the poor as being irresponsible, mean-spirited and totally wrong-headed.
I've often been totally discouraged about my government's being able to ever reform the legislatiive process where special interests write law. The way of doing things in DC is so entrenched. It is a systemic problem, not just an ethical problem INHO.
It is a major problem in America and a major reason for American's not respecting Congresspeople and for believing Congress is not working for them.
This afternoon Rep. Dingle brought up the fact that there was no input from Democrats in conference on this "reconciliation" bill. It went to the floor in the "dead of night" and members were "not allowed to see it before being asked to vote on it." It is a lobbyist's bill he said since the Rethugs consulted only lobbyists. They gave another ten billion to HMOs he says.
They (the Rethugs) "went after the people who could not afford to be in the room. Vote against this. This is an outrage." Rep. Dingle.
That is exactly the point I'm trying to make.
Perhaps these are truly juvenile ideas, laughable and totally unrealistic. Please tell me why if you think that. And what are your solutions?
